Let’s start things off by wishing happy birthday to both Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar. Both soccer stars were born on the same day (February 5), but seven years apart.
We are here to compare what CR7 had accomplished by the time he turned the same age the Brazilian striker is reaching today, 23. Neymar is not too far from joining Messi and Ronaldo in the competition for best footballer on the planet.
Here are some of the things Ronaldo, now 30, was not able to reach before Neymar.
• 2 campaigns scoring more than 40 goals (with Santos)
• A Confederations Cup Win and Golden Ball
• Scoring 42 goals with the National Team
• Score 123 goals in the first four years as a professional footballer
This is what Neymar has not accomplished by now, while Ronaldo did.
• Getting paid £146,000 per week
• A 5-year contract with Manchester United (Club’s highest paid player)
• FIFA World Player of the Year nomination
• Football Writers Association Player of the Year
Ronaldo’s biggest advantage over Neymar was that he was already playing professionally Europe by that time. It allowed him to get a higher salary in a more competitive environment. Meanwhile Neymar’s striking ability can’t be denied.
By the age of 30, will Neymar get his name on the FIFA Ballon d'Or list, like Ronaldo has done thrice already?. But just for today, let's leave that aside and congratulate two of the world’s biggest soccer stars.
WATCH: Some of the best moves and goals by these two masters of the sport
